2023-04-15 - The Toms River Times

Residents Want Input On Downtown Redevelopment

$14.7M Bond Ordinance Fails

By Chris Lundy

TOMS

RIVER

– A

bond ordinance that would have the township borrow money to pay for such things as road repair and police cars did not pass at a recent Township Council meeting.

The ordinance would have borrowed $13,999,000 to pay for various items. The total money being spent would have been $14,700,510, which included the town’s down payment.

Towns traditionally have a certain amount of debt as they purchase items. Local Bond Law states that anything being

bought with borrowed money must have at least five years’ worth of use. Towns pay off the debt annually, sometimes getting better bond rates years later. The philosophy behind it is that while it may cost more with interest in the long run, the annual payments are able to be made more easily.

Councilmen Justin Lamb and Daniel Rodrick voted against the bond. Councilmen Matthew Lotano, Kevin Geoghegan, Joshua Kopp, and James Quinlisk voted for it. Councilman David

(Bond - See Page 6)

B each Sweep Rescheduled

By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER –

During two Township

input in the redevelopment of the downtown area, but some are worried that some of this is just election year campaigning.

The extensive downtown plan includes roads being redirected, building heights increased, and an attempt to make the growth in

this area rather than the more suburban parts of town. Some of it is dependent on issues (Downtown - See Page 10)

BlueClaws To Go Cashless As They Announce Season

By Chris Christopher LAKEWOOD - Fans

who attend Jersey Shore BlueClaws home games at the ShoreTown Ballpark in Lakewood can leave their money home.

The facility, like other major event venues, will be a cashless and fully digital venue beginning this season.

This includes transactions involving tickets, food and beverage, merchandise, parking, boardwalk games and all others as part of either a Jersey Shore game or event.

“From the outset of the pandemic (it cost Jersey Shore its 2020 season), this is something that we have been thinking about, but we

first wanted to make sure the best plans and protocols were in place to make this a smooth transition for our fans,” said president-general manager Joe Ricciutti. “We have spoken with numerous peers in the industry and all of our vendors and partners expect this to be a seamless process that makes things even easi-

er for fans as they come to our games.”

The decision to go cashless follows 29 of the 30 major league baseball teams and stadiums, including that of the Philadelphia Phillies, the BlueClaws’ parent club.

“Two-thirds of our food and beverage transactions are already made with credit

and debit cards,” Ricciutti said. “Moving to a cashless system will make transactions times faster and fans will be able to get back to doing what they came to the ballpark to do - enjoy a baseball game and take advantage of the boardwalk games, mini golf and (BlueClaws - See Page 4)

By Bob Vosseller OCEAN

COUNTY –

─Photo By Bob Vosseller Toms River volunteers Laurie and Keith Huryk came out for the annual Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep event in Ortley Beach on April 1 but the torrential rain caused its cancelation. have been rescheduled for April 15. Information on them can be found at cleanoceanaction.org/ beach-sweeps. Another is scheduled for October 21.

Area beaches were set to be cleaned as part of the annual Beach Sweep but an April Fool’s Day prank by Mother Nature had them be washed instead.

Clean Ocean Action had scheduled sweeps throughout the area on April 1 but now they

On the morning of April 1, volunteers arrived at Ortley Beach and started to set up for the day. They decided (Beach - See Page 14)

Photo by Chris Lundy

The plan is for this old building to be demolished to make room for a banquet hall atop a parking garage.

BlueClaws

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es from across the BlueClaws’ season,” Ricciutti said. “We know these games are going to sell out. We don’t want anyone to miss out.”

everything else we offer.”

Fans can access their tickets at any time on their mobile device by logging into their TicketReturn account, which existing customers already have and new customers create as part of the purchase flow. From there, they can have their tickets scanned at the gates or transfer tickets to either a family member, friend or colleague.

“TicketReturn is one of the premier ticket vendors in the industry and its mobile platform makes accessing and transferring tickets a very simple process for fans,” Ricciutti said.

Inside the ballpark, credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay will be the only form of payment for food and beverage transactions, Claws Cove transactions and at The Boardwalk and the Manasquan Bank Mini Golf Course.

Fans will have access to a Reverse ATM inside the ballpark through which they can convert cash into a debit card. The debit card can be used inside and outside the ballpark. Parking will also be cashless and fans can pay using either a credit card or a debit card as they arrive.

Numerous fan promotions are at bat throughout the regular season.

April 11 was billed as Opening Night at the Jersey Shore. The team is scheduled to play 132 regular-season games, including 66 at ShoreTown, which again figures to be a fun house for of all ages. The calendar includes 11 fireworks nights, beginning April 11 and every Friday beginning June 2 and July 4. “These nights represent the best fan experienc-

Continued From Page 1 (BlueClaws - See Page 5)

Among the new beverage options for fans is the Heavy Reel Brewing Taphouse behind Section 109. The area will include Heavy Reel brewing selections that will rotate throughout the season. The promotion is built off the success of Reel Claw, a BlueClaws-branded IPA launched last year.

Two of Jersey Shore’s 14 sellouts were Marvel Super Hero Nights and this year the team will host three - May 19 with Black Panther, June 24 with Spider-Man and Aug. 5 with Captain Marvel. As part of Minor League Baseball’s partnership with Marvel, Jersey Shore will wear a special Marvel-designed cap with special merchandise also available. The BlueClaws will host Summer Concert Series games June 10 (The Snakes), July 8 (Asbury Fever) and Aug. 19 (Splintered Sunlight).

A large Jumbo Adirondack Chair will be in right field. Everyone is encouraged to take pictures and share, using the hashtag #blueclaws to be entered to win special prizes from Focus Camera, the promotion’s presenter. It’s the second season of the Blue Wave Bar, a second-level full service restaurant open to fans at each game. The menu includes some items, including seafood, that aren’t available anywhere else in the ballpark. Kids will continue to run the bases after every game.

Daily promotions include Thirsty Thursday with $2 Coors Light cans and Sunday FunDays with Kids Eat Free where members of the BlueClaws Kids Club eat free.

The BlueClaws’ latest Player Development

BlueClaws: Continued

From Page 4

Contract with the Phillies began in 2021 and runs through 2030.

Jersey Shore’s first-year manager is Greg Brodzinski, the club’s 16th manager in history. Brodzinski, 31, spent last year as the bench coach with Triple A Lehigh Valley, the Phillies’ farm club which competes in the International League. He was the Phillies’ bullpen catcher and catching coach in 2020 and 2021. Jersey Shore began play in 2001 as the Lakewood BlueClaws. Since its inception, a total of 8,118,695 fans have purchased tickets to the club’s home regular-season games. A total of 256,141 fans plunked down their money last season.

“We’re very proud to reach 14 sellouts last year, finish third among all South Atlantic League teams in attendance and finish 14th among all 120 minor league baseball teams in group sales,” Ricciutti said. “We feel we have something to offer every family, every business, youth sports team, non-profit organization and other groups and we look forward to welcoming them back to ShoreTown.”

Jersey Shore’s pitching coach is Phil Cundari, who spent the previous three years in the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor-league system. The club’s batting coach is former BlueClaws player Brock Stassi, who was with the team for 59 games in 2021 when he hit three home runs and drove in 30 runs. He made his big-league debut with the Phillies on April 3, 2017. The team’s bench coach is Chris Adamson, who was scheduled to manage the club in 2020.

He managed the team in 2021. The team’s pitching development coach is Brady Lail, who pitched for the New York Yankees, the Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners. The team’s athletic trainer is Meaghan Flaherty, who has been with the Phillies since 2020 and spent last season as the assistant athletic trainer with Lehigh Valley. The team’s strength and conditioning coach is Mark Jesse, Jr., who joined the Phillies’ system last season.

Two Jersey Shore players, No. 5 Hao Yu Lee and No. 28 Tommy McCollum, are ranked among MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 Phillies prospects.

A total of 119 former BlueClaws, including former Phillies stars Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard, have earned berths on major league rosters.

Ten former BlueClaws - Detroit’s Nick Maton and Matt Vierling, the Chicago White Sox’s Jake Diekman, Houston’s Hector Neris, Oakland’s Trevor May, Seattle’s J.P. Crawford, the Los Angeles Angels’ Logan O’Hoppe, Atlanta’s Travis d’Arnaud, the New York Mets’ Carlos Carrasco, Milwaukee’s Hoby Milner and the Chicago Cubs’ Mark Leiter Jr. - were on major league regular-season rosters at the start of the 2023 campaign. The latter pitched for Toms River High School North and the Phillies.

“We want our fans to say after visiting the ballpark, ‘That was fun. Let’s do it again,’ “ Ricciutti said. “They entrust us with three to four hours of their most precious commodity, which is time. If we do that (the team employs 300 persons when it plays home games), we did our jobs and that makes us incredibly proud.”

Blueclaws.com contributed to this report

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Ciccozzi was absent.

Township Attorney Anthony Merlino said “Bond votes require a super majority,” which would have been five ‘yes’ votes. Because of that, there were not enough votes to pass.

Lotano said the bulk of the bond was road improvement and elevation. There was also police

cars and garbage trucks. “These are all items that we use to keep the town running.”

The bond would have paid for:

$7,819,000 for road paving, township-wide drainage, bulkheads, the 2023 Roadway Elevation Project as well as the Downtown Toms River Loop Road Project.

$4,385,000 for vehicles including dump trucks, a street sweeper, mower, roll-off truck, wheel loader, a tandem, pick-ups, 10 police cars, an ambulance, and other equipment and computers.

$1,795,000 for improvements to various municipal offices and parking lots.

Lamb said he voted against it because a majority of the costs have to do with the downtown redevelopment he is against. Lotano explained that the majority of it is road projects; of that, a small amount is the downtown.

After the meeting, Mayor Maurice Hill sent out a statement blasting Lamb and Rodrick for putting essential services and life-saving equipment purchases at risk.

As a result of their vote, “the Township has no funding for road paving and road elevations this year and no funding for town wide drainage and bulkhead repairs,” he said.

Furthermore, the township is at risk of losing $6 million in matching grants from the federal and state governments for these projects.

“The political grandstanding by Councilmen Rodrick and Lamb is putting lives and property at risk. These two political hacks never leave campaign mode. They are not serious about governing and serving the public. Their most recent action has real negative consequences for the residents of Toms River,” he said.

Hill said that the downtown portion of the bond was about $1.5 million of the total. The federal government has agreed to pay $5.6 million toward the project if it goes through. The project includes 285 new high-end apartments, new restaurants and retail stores and well as a banquet hall/wedding venue.

“The 285 apartments are already approved by the Planning Board after multiple public hearings. By voting against the funding for the Loop/Water Street widening, Rodrick and Lamb are not only risking a $5.6 million federal grant for the project, they are risking that the towers will be built without the necessary road improvements. That would be a traffic nightmare.”

“I will ask the Council to introduce a new Capital Bonding Ordinance, but the delay will increase costs and potentially push some road paving and elevation projects into 2024,” he said. “We lost the prime months of April and May for road improvements. Fuel prices always rise in the summer and oil prices are on the rise again which increases the cost of asphalt. We may not be able to repair all the roads we planned to fix this year. Rodrick and Lamb have really hurt the taxpayers with this stunt.”

Rodrick is challenging Hill in the Republican Primary Election for mayor in June. Geri Ambrosio and Robert Bianchini are also competing for the mayor’s spot in the primary.

Although Lamb isn’t running for office this year, he fired back at Hill in a release of his own.

“Mo Hill has been hanging around town hall for 20 years and now he’s asking for another 4 years to build massive monuments to himself along the downtown waterfront,” Lamb said. “The people of Toms River don’t want to see a little Camden on the Delaware constructed in Huddy Park.”

“The people of Toms River are upset about what’s being done to their town,” Lamb said. “Mo’s twin 10-story towers are modeled after a massive Hackensack project and they’re completely incompatible with our town.”

Congressman Slams American Company For Selling DNA Collection Kits To China

WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a congressional hearing, Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th), Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), called on the United States and international community to immediately step up efforts to combat the Chinese Communist Party’s genocide against the people of Tibet and hold its enablers to account, including and especially American company Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Chaired by Smith, the March 28th hearing included compelling testimony from Richard Gere - the renowned actor and Golden Globe winner who serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Campaign for Tibet - as well as the Sikyong, or head, of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.

“All of us need to do a better job exposing and reversing - or at least mitigating - the ugly, hatefilled campaign by the Chinese Communist Party to erase an entire people - the people of Tibet,” said Smith, who has chaired over 85 congressional hearings and markups on China’s egregious human rights abuses.

“Biometric data - DNA and iris scans - of over a million Tibetans have been harvested and stored by the CCP,” said Smith. “Blood samples were

drawn even from children in kindergarten.”

“And you know what is even more shocking?” continued Smith.

“It is the role of an American company, Thermo Fisher Scientific in this genetic data collection and genetic surveillance program,” said Smith, who sent a bipartisan letter with his fellow CECC Co-Chairs to the company’s President and CEO Marc Casper in December 2022 asking him why DNA kits and DNA sequencer replacement parts were still being sold directly by his company to police in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) for use and abuse in collecting biometric data.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Thermo Fisher announced it would stop selling or servicing genetic sequencers in February 2019 “as consistent with Thermo Fisher’s values, ethics code and policies,” but a 2021 New York Times investigation revealed police were still purchasing their equipment.

In his testimony, Gere pointed to reports that found China’s police may have gathered between 920,000 to 1,200,000 DNA samples in the TAR over the past six years, including by taking blood from children as young as five without their parents’ consent.

“China’s surveillance no longer halts at the Tibetan border,” said Gere. “The CCPs techno-authoritarianism and fear tactics extend to Tibetan communities abroad. This oppression is being perpetrated behind a digital iron curtain to hide reality on the ground. The development of these systems of repression, reaching all the way around the world, reflects the lengths the CCP will go to dismantle the Tibetan civilization.”

The Sikyong testified that “to speed up assimilation, large-scale forced relocation of Tibetans from their traditional homeland to Chinese territories and within Tibet, mass transfer of Tibetan youths to China for labor and incentivized migration of Han Chinese into Tibet are being carried out. Moreover, Tibetan children across Tibet are not only being coerced into colonial boarding schools but transferred to areas across China on a massive scale.”

According to a 2021 report by Tibet Action International, 80 percent of children in the TAR are educated in a massive system of colonial boarding schools, separated from their families and culture as part of the CCP’s forced assimilation of ethnic and religious minority groups.

And a 2022 State Department report found the

CCP also effectively placed Tibetan Buddhism under central government control and subjected Tibetan women to “coerced abortion or forced sterilization.”

Smith’s hearing - entitled “Preserving Tibet: Combating Cultural Erasure, Forced Assimilation and Transnational Repression” - also included expert testimony from Lhadon Tethong, Director of the Tibet Action Institute, and Tenzin Dorjee, Senior Research and Strategist at the Tibet Action Group.

“China is committing genocide in Tibet,” said Tethong, “and has been working for decades to change history, to distort and obscure the present situation on the ground so as to erase Tibet from the world stage, both in the past and in the present.”

“The US, and the West in general, has conceded so much ground to China in the last three decades and moved the equilibrium so far toward Beijing’s baseline,” said Dorjee. “It is time to liberate ourselves from the tragically misguided notion that sweeping human rights under the rug would somehow make China more likely to cooperate on issues of geopolitical interest.”

Bill Would Close Loophole That Allows Illegal Gun Purchases

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In 2019, more than eight prohibited people a day were sold guns by dealers who do not wait for completed background check.

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) joined a group of 20 Senators in introducing the Background Check Completion Act. The legislation would close a current loophole that allows gun sales to proceed if a background check is not completed within a certain time period, even if the gun buyer is not legally allowed to purchase a gun. The gap in existing law has allowed thousands of gun sales to prohibited buyers, including the sale of the firearm used by the shooter in the deadly attack at Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church.

U.S. Representative James E. Clyburn introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

“An overwhelming majority of Americans support common-sense gun violence prevention measures – yet the Republican Party continues to choose to represent the NRA over protecting our kids,” said Sen. Menendez. “Background checks are effective and closing the Charleston loophole is a critical measure to prevent future tragedies across America.”

“Gun violence is a national crisis and the issue is exacerbated when guns

fall into the wrong hands,” said Sen. Booker. “However, the gun lobby has continuously blocked common-sense gun measures like universal background checks. I am proud to cosponsor this bill that will ensure that everyone who purchases a gun must complete a background check.”

When a criminal background check indicates that a firearm purchaser may have a criminal record, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) tries to determine whether the purchaser can legally buy a gun. If this process takes longer than 72 hours for those 21 years of age or older, or 10 days for those under 21, gun dealers can complete the sale even though there is a heightened risk that the purchaser is legally disqualified from purchasing a gun.

The Background Check Completion Act would require a completed background check for every gun buyer who purchases a gun from a federally-licensed gun dealer.

Joining Sens. Menendez and Booker in co-sponsoring the legislation are Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Dick Durbin (D-lll.), Chris Van Hollen (DMd.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bob Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tammy

Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (DVa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mar-

tin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). The legislation has been endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety, Giffords, Brady, Sandy Hook Promise and Newtown Action Alliance.

OFF WITH THE MAKEUP

Whether it’s the end of a long work day or a fun night out, most make-up wearers are guilty of sometimes going to sleep without taking off their makeup. Unfortunately, doing so frequently can lead to problems, especially when it comes to eye makeup (specifically mascara). When not removed before bed, tiny amounts of mascara can build up under the eyelids and create concretions, masses of solid materials that can erode the cornea and cause a good deal of pain. Mascara is also known for harboring bacteria, which can cause a multitude of issues from irritation to loss of vision. So, even if you don’t wash your whole face at night, at least remove your eye makeup before bed.

In severe instances, regularly leaving mascara on overnight can cause eyelid cysts. Comprehensive eye exams are important to determine if you need correction to see well and to maintain eye health. While some eye diseases have obvious symptoms such as red eyes, light sensitivity, or flashing lights, many serious, vision-threatening problems have no warning signs.

To schedule an eye exam, please call SIGHTMD NEW JERSEY SUSSKIND & ALMALLAH EYE ASSOCIATES at 732-349-5622. We offer evening hours most nights of the week.

P.S. Failing to remove eyeliner before going to sleep can cause eye damage by rubbing off on your pillowcase and entering your eyes.

MARLBORO (732) 972-1015

TOMS RIVER (732) 349-5622

C ommunity n ew S

Ocean County College Hosts Holocaust Remembrance Week Events

TOMS RIVER – The Center for Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Education at Ocean County College will sponsor a week of special events from April 17 to April 20 in observance of Yom HaShoah and the Holocaust Days of Remembrance. All events will be held in the Technology Building (#25) Lecture Hall on the Ocean County College main campus in Toms River.

April 17

• Not Like Sheep to Slaughter: Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust (Dr. Ali Botein-Furrevig); 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. and 5 to 6:15 p.m. Despite starvation, dehumanization and the “Final Solution,” many Jews in the ghettos and camps throughout Europe participated in resistance efforts, be it spiritual and cultural, armed fighting, rescue activities, producing false documents, or joining partisan groups engaged in guerilla warfare and sabotage against the Germans.

April 18

camps, Jews maintained their religious and cultural practices, educated their children, smuggled in food and weapons, participated in uprisings, and maintained and hid documentary records of the atrocities they endured.

• Creativity as Witness and Resistance: Art and Poetry by the Children at Terezin Camp (Dr. Ali Botein-Furrevig); 2 to 3:15 p.m. Theresienstadt, or Terezin, established as a ghetto and transit camp in 1941, was built by the Nazis as a “model” Jewish settlement camp for propaganda purposes. Despite congestion, hunger, and forced labor, educational and cultural activities abounded. This presentation will discuss the art and poetry by the children interned there.

April 20

• Forests of Valor: Jewish Partisan Fighters (Dr. Ali Botein-Furrevig); 9 to 10:15 a.m. 20,000-30,000 young underground freedom fighters who escaped the ghettos and work camps fled to the hidden forests of Poland, Lithuania, and Belarus. They blew up thousands of Nazi supply trains, destroyed power plants and other military and strategic targets, and carried out complicated smuggling and rescue missions.

BARNEGAT (609) 698-2020 www.oceancountyeye.com

BRICK (732) 477-6981

MANCHESTER TIMES • BERKELEY TIMES • BRICK TIMES

JACKSON TIMES • HOWELL TIMES • TOMS RIVER TIMES

SOUTHERN OCEAN TIMES

President & Publisher

Stew Swann

Vice President/COO

Jason Allentoff

• I Was a Hidden Child: The Maud Dahme Story; 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Our guest speaker is New Jersey resident Maud Peper Dahme. As a 6-year-old child living in the Netherlands, she and her 4-year-old sister were hidden from the Nazis. Ms. Dahme will discuss her experiences as well as her book and film, “The Hidden Child.” Prayer service to follow.

• Their Fate Shall Be Our Fate: The Righteous Among Nations (Dr. Justin Pfeifer); 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Whether smuggling and hiding Jews, providing false documents, taking in Jewish children, there were non-Jews from all denominations and walks of life who stand in stark contrast to the indifference that prevailed at the time and who risked their lives to save Jews.

April 19

• Sisters in Resistance: Women Partisans During the Holocaust (Dr. Ali Botein-Furrevig); 12 to 1:15 p.m. Although often known for their support roles in Partisan groups –performing camp duties and providing medical care - young women also fought alongside men. Others braved danger and death as couriers; sometimes disguised as non-Jews, they transported documents, papers, money, and ultimately ammunition and weapons across borders and into ghettos. This lecture will highlight some of those courageous women.

Distribution Manager

Laura

Hoban

News Editor

Chris Lundy Assistant News Editor

Production Manager

Allison Gradzki

Bob Vosseller

Graphic Artist Adriana Starcic

Sales Manager

Lorrie

Layout

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Zorns

• And Our Deeds Shall Live Forever: Uprisings in Ghettos and Camps (Dr. Ali Botein-Furrevig); 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Forcibly evacuated from their homes all across Europe to isolated crowded ghettos and eventually to extermination

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Ali Botein-Furrevig, director of the Center for Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Education at Ocean County College, at 732-255-0400 ext. 2368 or abotein-furrevig@ocean.edu.

HSE Dodgeball Tournament Of Champions

TOMS RIVER – Join in the fun for the Toms River High School East Dodgeball Tournament of Champions! April 28 at RWJ Barnabas Health Arena. Doors open 5 p.m.; Tournament starts 6 p.m. Players $15 each. Spectator tickets

available at the door. Admission $6, Children under 12 years of age $3. Proceeds to benefit the Toms River High School East Ropes Course. To register, visit tomsriverpolicefoundation.org/ hse-dodgeball-tournament.

Cats Available For Adoption

TOMS

By Chris Lundy

RIVER – An adoption

center

with a free roaming cat playroom is open in downtown Toms River on Fridays from 6-8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. and also by appointment.

Cherie, pictured above, is one of three siblings living at the adoption center. They are all looking for a good home. As evident by her Charlie Chaplin mus -

tache, Cherie is very quiet. She’s skittish and would benefit from a warm, caring household.

They are located at 34 Main Street (Route 9), Suite 1B. The adoption center adheres to COVID-19 restrictions and is run by the group called Lawyers In Defense of Animals. They can be reached at 908-910-2522, or on Facebook at /lidarescue and on Instagram @lida_rescue.

- Photo by Chris Lundy

outside the town’s control, such as moving the Post Office.

One bone of contention for some residents is the area where the Red Roof Inn was bought by the town and demolished. The redeveloper, Capodagli, has plans for two 10-story apartment towers, with ground level retail and a parking garage that would also serve other areas of downtown.

However, a less controversial spot is Robbins Parkway, which is the dilapidated building near where the River Lady docks. There is a plan, also by Capodagli, for making this area into the River Chateau, a grand banquet hall sitting atop a parking garage. This would take over the entire right side of Robbins Parkway, including the existing parking lot.

Even though this is less controversial, it’s where the latest hangup has happened. At the March 22 Township Council meeting, they were trying to pass a resolution that would create an escrow account. The redeveloper would pay into this account and

Downtown: Continued From Page 1 (Downtown - See Page 11)

the town would use the money to pay any municipal costs associated with the project.

It was then that former mayor and clerk, and current township historian Mark Mutter urged the council to table this resolution until a summit could be held to gauge the public’s interest in the entire redevelopment. He provided an outline on how to hold such a summit, and shared that he held one in 2000 when he proposed the open space tax. Something good came of that summit.

Mutter said that the resolution would continue having Capodagli be designated the conditional redeveloper, meaning that they are the company the town has decided to work with for that spot. However, the timeline has run out for that designation so they aren’t the conditional redeveloper any more for the Robbins Parkway property only.

“In my judgment, the future of downtown Toms River can be handled in a better way.

So far, it’s being done in a piecemeal fashion, project by project, resolution by resolution: two 10 story apartments here, a project on Irons Street over there, and now a third project over here...” he said.

“As our elected officials, you need to know that there is widespread concern - even astonishment - as to what has been approved so far, and what is being proposed, for our downtown. I have yet to meet one person - other than some in this room - who think that those two 10 story apartment towers are a good idea,” he said.

Council President Matthew Lotano said that the designation for conditional redeveloper did expire but the attorney said it can be changed. He warned that holding off on creating this escrow account could cost the township money so it needs to be passed. He also noted that this Robbins Parkway property had nothing to do with the apartment complex.

Councilman Joshua Kopp said that there has been meetings about the downtown redevelopment plan. It’s come up at council meetings many times over the last few years.

“Something has to be done downtown,” he said. People visit the area around the distillery and the few restaurants, but they don’t always go south of Water Street. “There is more to downtown than just that corner.”

He also questioned stopping the redevelopment on a relatively small portion of it. “A 300foot strip of road is not (the whole) downtown.”

The subject was still being discussed at the following Township Council meeting of April 5. At this point, some of the council had started to suggest that the resistance to the downtown

Downtown:

Continued From Page 10

development was political. There is a four-way race for the Republican primary in June before the actual election in November.

“There’s been numerous meetings, not just during primary season,” Councilman Kevin Geoghegan said.

One suggestion was to have this summit during the next Township Council meeting, but Lotano said the last time there was a summit it took nine hours. He said he is fine with a summit, but not during a meeting where township business has to get done.

Resident Dana Tormollan said she hoped the council could work with the school district, afraid of having the apartments filled with kids that will add to the school system that is losing millions of dollars of aid due to a state funding plan. She talked how the township paid to tear down the old hotel, then sold that land to the

redeveloper for a nominal dollar fee, and is enticing the redeveloper with a plan that they will pay a certain amount of money instead of taxes every year for 30 years. There is an agreement that the apartments will be made available for employees of the expanding programs at Community Medical Center.

“We have sold that property for $1,” she said. “We’re on a (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) program for people who may work at the hospital. Our kids are losing daily by having big builders come to town and tell us what they want to build.”

Lotano said that “without a PILOT program, we won’t get a redeveloper.”

Generally speaking, redeveloping costs more than developing, and for it to be worthwhile for a builder, there needs to be incentives. Even naming an area in need of redevelopment opens the door to state programs to make it easier for them.

“We’re giving things away to people who don’t deserve it,” Tormollan said.

14th Anniversary Spring Huddy Park InWater Boat Show

TOMS RIVER – The Huddy Park In-Water Boat Show is a family-oriented boat show located in Downtown Toms River in beautiful Huddy Park and will take place this year on April 21 to 23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The show is twice a year. Once in the fall and once in the spring each year. Times and dates are subject to change each season so always check. There are many boats in the water for sea trials

as well as boats on land. There are also vendors and other activity area’s depending on time of year and participation.

There will be regular, luxury and performance triple toon pontoons with 150s, 200s, and 300 horsepower. Also, deck boats, center console fishing boats, dual console fishing boats and pilot house fishing boats.

The Huddy Park In-Water Boat Show is “free” with “free boat rides for prospective buyers!”

DOWLING FENCE LLC DOWLING FENCE LLC

MAY 4 SHEN YUN AT NJ PAK $229/pp

Includes lunch at Don Pepe & Orchestra Seat.

MAY 5 WIND CREEK CASINO $54/pp

Includes $30 Slot Play & 5 Hour Stay.

MAY 10 GREASE MUSICAL $155/pp

Join us for the day at Toby”s Dinner Theater in Columbia, MD. Includes Buffet lunch & Show.

MAY 23-27 5 DAY GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAINS ADVENTURE $1098/pp Dbl. Occ.

Package Includes 2 Nights stay Dolly Parton Resort, 1 night in each direction,2 Live Shows, 4 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners, Step on Guide, Moonshine Distillery Tour, Hollywood Car Museum and more

MAY 28 ELVIS MUSICAL $144/pp

Join us for the day at the Dutch Apple Theater in Lancaster, PA Includes Buffet Lunch & Show.

MAY 30-31 2 DAY TRIBUTE TO FRANKIE VALLI & FOUR SEASONS @ RESORTS WORLD CATSKILLS $232/pp Dbl.Occ.

Join us at the Resorts Catskills Resort in the Beautiful Catskill mountain region for one night and see A Tribute To Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Package Includes Day 1-$25 Slot Play & $20 Food Voucher. DAY 2-$25 Slot Play, Lunch and Show Ticket.

JUNE 4-6 3 DAY 1000 ISLAND & BOLDT CASTLE $739/pp Dbl.Occ

Package Includes 2 Nights Lodging at 1000 Island Hotel, Boldt Castle, Boat Tour 2 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners, Antique Boat Musuem, Local Winery for Tasting.

JUNE 11-14 4 DAY NIAGARA FALLS & SAFARI $939/pp Dbl.Occ.

Package Includes 3 nights stay at the 5 star Hilton Fallsview Hotel with a Falls View Room, 3 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners, Step on Guided Tours, Lion Safari Adventure, Hornblower ‘’ride to the falls” & more

JUNE 25-28 4 DAY CAPE COD & MARTHA’S VINEYARD $817/pp Dbl.Occ.

Package Includes 3 Nights Lodging Fairfield Inn & Suites, Step on Guide Tours, Martha’s Vineyard, 3 Dinners, 3 Breakfasts. Whale Watching Cruise and more.

JUNE 28 MJ MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL $224/pp

Includes Lunch Before Show & Orch Seat.

AUG. 9 NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL $224/pp

Includes Lunch before show & Orch Seat.

AUG. 9 FUNNY GIRL MUSICAL $276/pp

Includes Lunch before show & Orch Seat.

AUG. 12 SOME LIKE IT HOT MUSICAL $224/pp

Includes Lunch before show & Orch Seat.

AUG. 19 YANKEE VS. RED SOX’S $189/pp

Includes covered seating, Hot Dog, Drink.

AUG. 28-30 3 DAY LAKE GEORGE & SARATOGA SPRINGS $659/pp Dbl.Occ.

Package Includes 2 nights lodging at the Hampton Inn & Suites, Lake George, Saratoga Race Museum, Step on Guided Tour, 2 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners, Tiki Show, Boat cruise on Lake George & more

SEPT. 12 MOSES AT SIGHT & SOUND $144/pp

Lunch Included at Shady Maple & a center Orchestra Seat.

JAN. 7-27,2024 11 DAY EASTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE ONBOARD THE NORWEGIAN GETAWAY FROM NEW YORK CITY.

Please call for details.

Always Included Bottled Water & Snacks, Company Escort, All Gratuities Bus Departures Toms River (Exit 81 West Water Street NJT Station) • Brick Target (Route 70)

Please Visit Our Website for All Upcoming Trips & Itineraries

Toms River Woman: Becoming Firefighter “Best Decision I’ve Ever Made”

By the Toms River Fire Company No. 1

TOMS RIVER - Until recently, firefighting has been considered a man’s job. But that’s been changing. In the past twenty years the ranks of female firefighters have grown in the U.S. from 2% to 11%.

Women firefighters have proven that they are just as capable as men of doing the strenuous and dangerous work of fighting fires. And they have reaped the satisfaction of serving people at their times of greatest need and becoming part of a team that always has each other’s backs.

Toms River Fire District No. 1 celebrates its women firefighters. Chairman of District No. 1’s Board of Commissioners, Richard Tutela says, “we encourage other women to join us in Saving Lives from Wood to Water.”

Five years ago, Dakota Oeskovic, then 25, was perusing a mailing from the Toms River Fire District No. 1, when she noticed one line, “looking for volunteers.” She was intrigued.

Photo courtesy TRFC

(Firefighter - See Page 13)

Firefighter: Continued From Page 12

She didn’t know anything about firefighting and had never considered it. She went to Toms River’s website, watched videos, and talked to a female firefighter in the department. Then she was hooked.

“I still remember the excitement I felt - it was a chance to give back to the community I grew up in and challenge myself both mentally and physically,” Oeskovic says. Five years ago, she joined Toms River Fire District No. 1’s East Dover Fire Company. “It was the best decision I’ve ever made. I have never done anything more gratifying.”

Oeskovic has found being a female firefighter to be particularly rewarding. She once responded to a house call for a fire in a clothes dryer, located a block from where she lives, although she didn’t know the family. After extinguishing the fire, she went on the roof, and a women came running out of the house screaming ecstatically, “I can’t believe you’re a woman firefighter.” Says Oeskovic, “this woman was so proud to see a female firefighter. We are now friends.”

Since joining the department, “I’ve al-

ways been treated with the utmost respect and was quickly integrated into the family.

I have never felt that any of the men have doubted my abilities. We turn to each other for any problems we have. I love it.”

She encourages women to try firefighting. “Have confidence in yourself and even if you don’t have it, the team will have it for you.”

Because of her passion for fire safety, Oeskovic recently completed fire inspector training. And a few weeks ago, she launched a new career as a fire inspector for the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention. She will continue to proudly serve as volunteer firefighter.

If you’re looking to keep your community safe, Fire District No. 1 is always looking for volunteer Firefighters (ages 18 & up); Junior Firefighters (ages 16 & 17), Fire Police, Safety Officers, Administrative Support and Seasonal Roles.

Many volunteers initially join us to make friends, seek fulfillment in their personal lives, or set an example for others. Regardless of your reasons for volunteering, Toms River Fire District No. 1 is here to help you build essential skills to carry with you for life.

Check us out: trfire.org/

Jersey Shore Boca Soccer Tryout Dates

TOMS RIVER – Jersey Shore Boca Soccer Eastern Development Program (EDP) is pleased to announce its Tryout dates for the upcoming 2023/24 season. Register at jerseyshoreboca.com/tryout-information.

Boys:

• Birth Years 2013, 2014 & 2015 – April 17 and 18 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.

• Birth Years 2010, 2011 & 2012 – April 17 and 18 from 7 to 8:15 p.m.

• Birth Years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 – Dates to be announced shortly, contact to request an invitation to team training.

Girls:

• Birth Years 2013, 2014 & 2015 – April 19 and 20 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.

• Birth Years 2010, 2011 & 2012 – April 19 and 20 from 7 to 8:15 p.m.

• Birth Years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 – Dates to be announced shortly, contact to request an invitation to team training.

Location: West Dover – West Dover Elementary School Turf – 50 Blue Jay Drive, Toms River.

Silvio M. Silvi Neil D. Honschke Ralph F. Fedele

Beach: Continued From Page 1

the mission would continue on, at least in Ortley Beach. They were joined by some dedicated volunteers who ignored the rain.

Their unofficial mascot, a pig named Hamlet, came with Beach Captain Crystal DeCaro and her dog Aurora. “Rain or shine we’re going to make it happen,” she said.

“Clean Ocean Action has a spring sweep and a fall one. It is always in April and always in October and they usually shoot for a Saturday. In the last 10 years we’ve had so many windy days and rain before and other things that might deter volunteers but we always have people come out,” DeCaro added.

Laurie and Keith Huryk of Toms River were there despite the rain. DeCaro said, “they are extreme supporters and they always come in and get a selfie with Hamlet. They come prepared with cleanup items and everything.”

“I started coming when I was on council,” former Councilwoman Laurie Huryk said. “I didn’t know it happened before that. We enjoy it so much. It has been six years now. You help clean up the beach and help the environment.”

She and her husband later found a pair of eyeglasses that were left behind near the dunes. Hamlet didn’t mind the rain. “He is our unofficial mascot of Clean Ocean Action. He is six years old. He’s been coming since he was a baby. I’ve been doing it for 10 years. He has been a hit ever since so I felt I couldn’t help but bring him out. He’s my pet indoor pig and he loves the beach so that was also a motivation behind it because he pushes around the sand with his snout,” DeCaro said.

“I try to teach people to make sure you know what you leave behind and notice the trash. It isn’t only all about us it is also about the animals and

our ecosystem,” she added.

Ortley Beach was just one of several sweep locations that were to be held that day. Other Beach Sweeps in Ocean County were to include Bay Head, Berkeley, Brick, Island Beach State Park, Lavallette, Long Beach Island, Mantoloking, Ocean Gate, Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Normandy Beach and Tuckerton.

Three volunteers at the Berkeley location – Dudley Park – stayed at the picnic tables to let people know it was cancelled. They still picked up a few things while they were there.

Clean Ocean Action started the Beach Sweeps in 1985. It is one of the longest running cleanups of its kind in the world. The program grew from 75 people at one site in 1985, to over 10,000 volunteers in 2018.

Volunteers gather as groups (community, school, business, and organization), families, or individuals and collect and record valuable data about debris, which is presented in annual reports.

“If you want to change the world, people power is the answer,” COA Executive Director Cindy Zipf said. “The Beach Sweeps is proof positive of that fact. We are grateful and inspired by the dedication and true-blue spirit of volunteers.”

Fish, whales, birds, and other animals often mistake litter for food. As a result, animals get entangled in or ingest items, such as plastic bags, cigarette filters, and fishing line, with deadly results. Cigarette filters are made of plastic fibers and trap carcinogenic chemicals that are introduced into animals’ bloodstreams.

Watershed Program Manager Alison Jones said, “last year, over 10,000 volunteers welcomed the opportunity to gather safely, get outside, and give back by participating in the Beach Sweeps. As always, their hard work and diligent data collection provided COA with interesting insights about litter at the Jersey Shore.”

New Jersey Man Admits To Assaulting Girlfriend

By Alyssa Riccardi

TOMS RIVER – A Newark man has pled guilty to Aggravated Assault and more after holding his girlfriend at gunpoint and hitting her, officials said.

Deshaun Porter, 29, pled guilty to Aggravated Assault, two counts of being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, and Possession a Weapon For an Unlawful Purpose.

In the early hours of November 6, 2020, police said Porter had held his girlfriend at gunpoint, refusing her to leave an apartment complex on James Street. When officers arrived around 9 a.m., Porter fled the apartment.

Authorities later discovered that the events at the apartment originated as a result of an earlier incident that occurred on November 3, 2020, at the Howard Johnson’s Hotel in Toms River. According to police, Porter forced his way into a hotel room, threatened the occupants with a handgun, and struck the same victim in the face

On November 6, 2020, a warrant was issued for Porter’s arrest and he was later arrested on December 9, 2020, in Atlantic City by the United States Marshals Service, Atlantic City Metro Task Force, and New Jersey State

Police. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since his apprehension.

At the time of his sentencing on June 2, the State will be recommending a term of seven years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the Aggravated Assault charge - subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, five years NJSP with a five-year period of parole ineligibility as to each of the Certain Person charges, and five years NJSP with a parole ineligibility period of 42 months as to the Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Schron and Assistant Prosecutor Alyssa Mandara who are handling the case on behalf of the State, and commended the Toms River Police, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Atlantic City Metro Task Force, and United States Marshals Service, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation resulting in Porter’s apprehension, guilty pleas, and soon his state prison sentence.

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Sound News

Presented By: Isidore Kirsh, Ph.D., F.A.A.A. (N.J. Lic. #678)

Dr. Isidore Kirsh Ph.D., F.A.A.A.

Medicare Advantage Plans May Be A Disadvantage!

The carnival barking celebrities are relentless on television. They attempt to persuade you to call to check your zip code with a promise of getting money put back into your monthly social security check when you sign up for the XYZ Medicare Advantage Plan.

Extra benefits are touted over and above regular Medicare at no cost to you. The problem is the taxpayer price tag is enormous and quality of benefits is putrid.

A couple decades ago, Federal legislation was passed to improve quality of health care and lower the cost through Medicare Advantage plans. Insurance companies are required to report financial data to State regulators. Today, it is estimated close to fifty percent of Medicare eligible policyholders have signed up for a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan.

An investigative article was published in the October 22nd, 2022 The New York Times. It was reported that nine out of ten MA providers were found to have committed and been accused of fraud. These private sector MA alternatives were supposed to be better than regular Medicare. They are not.

The MA companies inflated profits and received more money from the Federal government by reporting many patients more sick (increased number of diagnosis codes) with these over-diagnoses garnering higher payments. The Federal government spends as much on MA payouts as in funding the Army and Navy. The $12-25 billion in overpayments are enough to cover hearing and vision for all individuals over the age of 65.

Federal expenditures for MA total more than budgeted for NASA, CHIP (children’s insurance), U.S. Customs & Border Protection, FBI, EPA, and the Federal prison system.

MA limits choice of physicians, specialists, and hospitals within a smaller network for coverage and payment. Additionally, policyholders must jump through hoops to acquire required care for their anomaly. Annual profit per enrollee for MA insurer is close to $2300. The MA program looks to pay out less money, restrict access to care, and gives providers a lower reimbursement.

For hearing aid benefits, an MA plan utilizes a third-party administrator. This company lowers the rate of reimbursement to audiologists to the bare minimum. This administrative company receives money from the Federal government through your Medicare payment and

your co- pay of $700 to $1000 per device, issues the hearing aids to the audiologist for your fitting, and 60-90 days later mails a service reimbursement of about 14% from the entire amount they collected. My own investigative inquiries with MA plans and administrative contractors, the actual dollar amount they pay is LESS THAN what is paid by medical assistance (MEDICAID) for the same service given to the indigent.

The MA model of providing hearing aids to policyholders encourages audiologists to get that handicapped patient in and out of their office quickly and sacrifices required care, counseling, aural rehabilitation, and computerized adjustments for patient success. “Best practices” are thrown out the door because dispensing audiologists cannot afford to spend the same amount of time for the 3rd party patient. The MA plan doesn’t typically have all manufacturers available and limits choice of product to be considered in patient fitting. Often it is a basic level hearing aid fitted with minimal care. From a business perspective, it is a churn and burn model emphasizing quantity versus quality.

Hearing handicapped patients are sacrificed. Dispensing audiologists are forced to severely reduce service and time to patients. In the MA model, policyholders are forced to lower their expectations because this is a race to the bottom mentality where the patient is neglected in product and continuity of continuing service.

Out of the delayed and low reimbursement (below the medical assistance fee schedule), to dispensing audiologists, they must pay taxes, rent, utilities, office costs, and attempt to make a profit to cover a salary. The patient may have 1-3 visits included during the first year of service. After this time period is up, the provider is permitted to charge $60 to $125 to $225 for every single office appointment lasting about fifteen minutes. The MA policyholder/patient may think they are getting a deal in hearing benefits. However, they will pay even more in the long run or avoid seeking the required hearing care due to the future cost. Your Medicare ADVANTAGE plan may ultimately place you at a DISADVANTAGE.

Dr. Izzy and his Staff are always available to provide you with informative information about your hearing care needs. Please visit us at www.gardenstatehearing.com or call 732-818-3610 (Toms River/Whiting) or 609-978-8946 (Manahawkin).

His offices are in Toms River, Whiting, and Manahawkin. He can be reached at 732-276-1011 or via Web site at gardenstatehearing.com. Dr. Izzy & Staff gives Retirement Community Talks!

The Power Of Lemon Juice: 7 Ways It Improves Your Health

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

Lemon juice is a natural and versatile ingredient that offers numerous health benefits. In my article today, we will explore some of the many benefits of lemon juice. Most people enjoy a squeeze of lemon in their water and while refreshing, that only provides 1-2 mg of vitamin C. Lemons are thought to be a cross between the sour orange and a citron - two fruits brought to Europe from other countries. Here are 7 ways it helps you feel better:

1. Boosts immune system: Lemon juice is a great source of vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system. Vitamin C helps to stimulate the production of more white blood cells to help you fight off infections and diseases.

2. Aids digestion: Lemon juice contains citric acid, which helps to stimulate the production of more digestive juices in your stomach. This can mitigate indigestion, bloating, and other digestive issues which in turn will improve hydration and energy.

3. Hydrates the body: Lemon juice is a natural diuretic, which means that it helps to increase urine production and flush out toxins from the body. Even though it’s a weak effect, it can help you prevent dehydration.

4. Helps to alkalize the body: Alkaline minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. By alkalizing the body, lemon juice is thought to help prevent the development of acid reflux, heartburn, and other digestive problems. That said,

lemon is sometimes a trigger for people with esophagitis and heartburn.

5. Supports weight loss: Lemon juice contains pectin, a type of soluble fiber that can help to reduce appetite and promote feelings of fullness. It can also help to improve metabolism and increase fat burning, making it an effective aid for weight loss. This will directly improve energy.

6. Improves heart health: Lemon juice is a good source of potassium, which is essential for maintaining a healthy heart. Potassium helps to regulate blood pressure, reduce the risk of stroke, and improve energy.

7. Boosts energy levels: Lemon juice has a direct effect on energy levels. It supplies your body with a natural source of electrolytes such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These electrolytes can help to replenish energy levels and prevent fatigue.

In addition to these health benefits, there are many other uses for lemon juice. For example, it can be used as a natural household cleaner, a natural skin brightener, and a natural insect repellent.

Overall, lemon juice is a natural and versatile ingredient that offers numerous health benefits and can be used in a variety of different ways. I love to make Agave Lemonade in the summer. That recipe is at my website under the “recipes” tab. Anyway, by incorporating lemon juice into your diet and daily routine, you can enjoy its many benefits and improve your overall health and well-being.

(This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist” and “Real Solutions.” For more information, visit www.SuzyCohen.com) ©2022 SUZY COHEN, RPH. DISTRIBUTED BY DEAR PHARMACIST, INC.

Buying And Selling A Boat Are Fertile Grounds For Scammers

By: Michael J. Deem, Esq. of R.C. Shea & Associates

If you are considering buying or selling a boat, then you should be aware that the market is full of bogus buyers and sellers. When it comes to buying or selling a boat, if anything seems unusual then proceed with caution. While fraudulent transactions apply to both purchase and sales, this article will focus on the seller’s side of the transaction.

If selling your boat is not difficult enough, these days the last thing you need is to encounter someone, somewhere, trying to trick you at least once, if not two or more times as you try to complete the boat-selling process. Because fraud comes in all shapes and sizes, it is not possible for us to focus on one type of transaction, so we will concentrate on the most common red flags. Obvious poor punctuation and grammar. These scammers crank out a thousands of their “inquiries” every day and many of them have a poor grasp of the English language. Also, pay attention to their use of multiple phone numbers (and/or multiple email addresses) from the same individual. Everything the alleged buyer asked about was thoroughly detailed in your listing. Some of these scammers operate through robo or computerized forms of communication like e-mail or texting. So, if the potential purchaser is asking you for information that is already in your listing then this should raise a red flag and you should proceed with extreme caution. Enlisting a third party to pick up the boat without the buyer ever having inspected it. Boats are not cheap. No credible buyer will purchase a boat sight unseen. A credible purchaser will at least obtain a boat survey, which is similar to a home inspection. In addition, most honest buyers will be present when the boat is picked-up, rather than sending an agent to do take possession of your boat.

The offer to pay by cashier’s check and pick up the boat after it had been cashed. This seems like a reasonable show of good faith, but scammers have become very good at printing fake checks so realistic that banks initially accept them. It isn’t until days or even weeks later that the scam becomes apparent, and then the bank can pull those funds right back out of your account. Check with your bank to confirm its policy regarding final acceptance of funds.

Paypal or Venmo variation of payment. The phony buyer will ask for your PayPal ID in order to send you a payment, possibly for substantially more than the purchase price. Shortly after that, you will receive a fake confirmation from PayPal with your user ID for more than the agreed purchase price, and the buyer will contact you asking you to forward the extra money to a shipper. Again, you’ll lose whatever money you’ve sent.

An unwillingness to provide basic proof of identity such as a photo of their driver’s license. If they are who they say they are then there should be no issue with providing proof of their identity. Automobile dealerships will obtain proof of your identify when you try to purchase one of their vehicles. Strangers routinely share this basic information when they are involved in motor vehicle collisions, so it should not be sacred during the purchase of a boat or a car.

R.C. Shea & Associates is a full-service Law Firm. We are located at 244 Main Street, Toms River. Visit our website at www. rcshea.com.

Michael J. Deem, Esq.

For Rent

Floating Dock Slip For Rent This Season - Private home in Baywood area in Brick 25 feet $990 Call 732-477-3053. (17)

Misc.

Comics Cards Show - Sunday, April 16 10 a.m. Elks Toms River Amvets. Writers, Costume, groovy toys, Anime, Mansa, crafts. Admission $5. 609-242-7756. (18)

Garage Sale

Garage Sale April 14-15 - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 211 6th Avenue, Ortley Beach. New items, tools, collectables, antique, jewerly, silverware, clothing, trees, ALL MUST GO. (18)

Items For Sale

Dining Room Set - Like new, other items. 732-350-0190. (18)

68 International Step Van - Four speed, six cylinder, aluminum, clean, 110,000 miles. All guages work. $5K, Bob 732-774-9000. (18)

Items Wanted

COSTUME/ESTATE JEWEL-

RY Looking to buy costume/estate jewelry, old rosaries and religious medals, all watches and any type of sterling silver, bowls, flatware candlesticks or jewelry. Same day house calls and cash on the spot. 5 percent more with this AD. Call Peggy at 732-581-5225. (t/n)

$$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$

Jewelry and watches, costume jewelry, sterling silver, silverplate, medals, military items, antiques, musical instruments, pottery, fine art, photographs, paintings, statues, old coins, vintage toys and dolls, rugs, old pens and postcards, clocks, furniture, brica-brac, select china and crystal patterns. Cash paid. Over 35 years experience. Call Gary Struncius. 732-364-7580. (t/n)

Vinyl Records Wanted - Paying cash for LP albums. Rock, Blues, Reggae, Soul. Very good condition only. Call Rick 908-616-7104. (21)

Wanted Storage Space - Long term non-commercial use. Jackson, Manchester or surrounding area. Electric a plus, 732-278-5098. (16)

CASH, CASH, CASH! - Instant cash paid for junk cars, trucks, vans. Free removal of any metal items. Discount towing. Call Dano 732-239-3949. (t/n)

Entire Estates Bought - Bedroom/dining sets, dressers, cedar chests, wardrobes, secretaries, pre-1950 wooden furniture, older glassware, oriental rugs, paintings, bronzes, silver, bric-a-brac. Call Jason at 609-970-4806. (t/n)

CASH PAID!! LP records - stereos, turntables, musical instru-ments, guitar, saxophone, CD’s, reel tapes, music related items. Come to you. 732-804-8115. (30)

Used Guns Wanted - All types: collectibles, military, etc. Call 917-681-6809. (t/n)

Cash - Top dollar, paid for junk, cars running and nonrunning, late model salvage, cars and trucks, etc. 732-928-3713. (t/n)

CLASSIFIEDS

Help Wanted

Jersey Child Care is hiring! We care for children from six weeks through 12 years old. Full and Parttime shifts available. Please call us for details! 732-262-3600. (18)

Laundromat Attendant - For FT/ PT Good communication skills, math and min computer knowledge. Transportation needed. Long term commitment only. 732-286-1863. (t/n)

Seeking Responsible Individual

With Good Phone Skills - Experience In Hvac & Permits A Plus. Filing/Answering Phones/Scheduling/Permits/Ordering Parts/ Customer Service. Great Work Environment. $15/Hour 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Paid Holidays. Call Care Temp Heating & AC at 732-349-1448 Or Fax Resume To 732-349-6448. (t/n)

Services

THE RIDE GUY - Takes you anywhere! No limits. Comfy mini-van. Call Charlie 732-216-3176 or Email: cr@exit109. com. References. Let's Go! (19)

DIRECTV. New 2-Year Price Guarantee. The most live MLB games this season, 200+ channels and over 45,000 on-demand titles. $84.99/mo for 24 months with CHOICE Package. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-877-557-1213 (t/n)

Learn To Play The - Flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or drums from a NJ State

Home Health Care Aide - Needed for sweet elderly woman. Light transfer a must. Dressing. Simple meal prep. Holiday City. 609-349-0937. (21)

C.B.J. ROOFING - Covering the jersey shore since 1984. All work guaranteed. We will beat ANY legitimate estimate. $ave. Call 732-850-5060. (20)

Services

Bobs Waterproofing - Basement and crawlspace waterproofing. Mold testing, removal and prevention. Family owned. Fully licensed and insured. Call Bob 732-616-5007. (t/n)

Absolute best home improvements!"Building the shore since 1984" Additions, carpentry, windows & doors, roofing & siding, painting & staining, flooring, kitchens & baths, finished basements, masonry, fencing, custom decks, fully insured, license #13VH11804800. $ave. Call Brien 732-850-5060. (28)

VFW Post 100092 - Barnegat, NJ 08005. Coffee - donuts every Wednesday 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Meeting 2nd Thursday1800-2000 hours each month. Looking for new members, call 609-698-4120. (21)

Roofing Repairs Etc. - Roofing, siding, windows. Repairs on small jobs. Utility shed roofs replaced. Prompt service. Insured. Gutters cleaned. Call Joe Wingate 551-804-7391. (19)

Computer Tutoring for Seniors –Retired, “Microsoft Certified” instructor. Very Reasonable rates. Very patient with slow learners. I’ll teach you in the comfort of your home on your computer. I can trouble shoot your slow computer! I also teach iPhone and iPad. I set up new computers at less than half the price the retailers charge. Windows 10 specialist. I can also build a beautiful small business website at a fraction of the going rates. Special Projects always welcome! Tony 732-997-8192. (t/n)

Certified Home Health Aides - Needed for Ocean County area. Hourly and live-in positions avail. P/T and F/T. Call CCC at 732-206-1047. (t/n)

A1 HANDYMAN SERVICESOver 30 years experience in all phases of home improvements. Free estimates and referrals. Call John 267-475-7962. (10)

Car Service - 24/7. Doctors, shopping, airports, hospitals, cruise, shops, Atlantic City, family functions, NYC accomodations for large groups. Call for reasonable rates. Kerry 732-606-2725. (42)

MY HANDY CREW - Home repairs, carpentry, painting roofing and siding, decks, powerwashing, yardwor,k all your home maintenance needs. $ave. Call Clark 732-850-5060. Insured and NJ License #13VH11804800. (46)

Services Services Services

Handyman Service - Carpentry, masonry, painting repairs large and small. 40 years experience. Call Jim 732-674-3346. (39)

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options Request a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-833-901-0309. (t/n)

APlus Home Improvements - Over 30 years experience. Everything from small handyman tasks to large renovations, decks, finished basements and much more. Lic #13VH11453600. No job too small give us a call. 908-278-1322. (52)

Male Care Assistant/Caregiver

Assistance - With all of your needs excluding hygiene. All daily routines including; Meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, safety monitoring, transportation, errands, Etc. Also assisting individuals with mild to moderate dementia and those on palliative and hospice care. 732-664-2833. (18)

ESTATE CLEANOUTS -

Properties, Houses, Attics, Garages, Sheds, Storage Units, ect. Handyman Disposal provided 901a Dumpster Service LLC. Licensed, Insured, call or text Jim 609-335-0330. (27)

PQ Painting & Home Improvement Services - Over 5 decades of service in NJ. Visit us online at pqpaintingservice.com . Winner of Angie’s List Super Service Award. Free estimates, reasonable rates, fully licensed and insured NJ Lic #13VH06752800. Call 732500-3063 or 609-356-2444. (t/n)

Become a Published Author. We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance Publishing-Trusted by Authors Since 1920. Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution. Call for Your Free Author`s Guide 1-877-791-2033 or visit dorranceinfo.com/micro. (t/n)

CLASSIFIEDS CANNOT BE PLACED OVER THE PHONE.

1. Below, circle the heading you would like your ad to appear under:

CHEAP PAINTING Done RITEFree est. Senior discounts interior exterior. Call 732-506-7787, cell 646-643-7678. (28)

ALL American Home Health AidesExperienced experts in the field of trauma and recovery. Holistic approach to healing-nutrition, physical therapy, and quality of life improvements. Hourly or live in. Honest, hardworking, etc. Includes housekeeping, rides to doctors/pleasure. Skip the rest, come to the best. 732-664-3605. (t/n)

LANDSCAPING - Restorations, Repairs, Stones, Mulch, Sod Installs, Hedges, Shrubs, Bushes, Downed

Branches Trimmed & Removed, Demolition, Cleanouts, ect., Dumpster service provided by A901 Licensed Hauler ect. MAN WITH VAN LLC. Jim 609-335-0330 HIC# 13vh10806000.

NO JOB TOO SMALL! (20)

MASONARY REPAIR - Sidewalks, steps, driveways, pavers. For free estimate call 732-5896798, 848-210-2716. (20)

Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-855-634-0529. (t/n)

Garden Advisory: Experienced (Master) Gardener - Assists homeowners with garden planning & design, plant care advice, plant selection & replacement recommendations, container gardens, soil testing. 732-232-8144. (21)

Housecleaning, Painting, Shopping, - Laundry, window cleaning, also we do typing services and run errends for you and also help paperwork. Very good prices. Call 732-7735078 or 848-287-3944. (21)

Nor’easter Painting and Staining, LLC - Interior and exterior. Decks, powerwashing. Affordable. Senior discounts. References. No job too small. Fully insured. 732-6910123. Lic #13VH09460600. (19)

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Credit Card Orders Only can be faxed to: 732-657-7388. Or visit jerseyshoreonline.com to place your classified.

Deadline For Classified Ads: 12pm Monday (Ads will run the Saturday of that week)

If you have any questions, please call Ali at 732-657-7344 ext. 203.

Around the JerSey Shore

Deborah Heart and Lung Center Hosting Women’s Health EXPO

OCEAN COUNTY – “Because YOU Matter,” Deborah Heart and Lung Center is hosting a Women’s Health EXPO on April 29 at the Toms River Clarion on Route 37 West from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This day, focused on YOU, features a full array of health, wellness, and fun activities. A wide range of complimentary health screenings – provided by Deborah’s expert medical team – will be available, including blood pressure, pulse oximetry, body fat analysis, sleep apnea, and peripheral artery disease. As well, physicians and health professionals from Deborah will be on hand to discuss test results, chat about any ongoing health concerns, and share information about nutrition, health, and wellness.

The specialists from Deborah will be joined by a variety of regional healthcare providers offering additional screenings and community services, including:

• Garden State Hearing & Balance Center

• Ivy Rehab

• Mental Mediator

• Ocean County Health Department

• Ocean County Office of Senior Services

• Premier Dermatology Clinic

• Priceless Photo Video

• State of New Jersey Unclaimed Property

• The Eye Professionals of Burlington County

• The Navigator Exchange Program at Center for Family Services

• Wells Fargo Advisors

EXPO participants will be able to shop almost two dozen vendors offering the latest crafts, cosmetics, jewelry, and home goods, as well as enjoying a chair or arm/hand massage from therapists at the New Jersey School of Massage.

The first 200 visitors will receive a swag bag and giveaways, and all participants will have an opportunity to win a designer handbag.

“It is vitally important that we gather women together to focus on themselves,” said Renee Bullock-Palmer, MD, Director of Deborah’s Women’s Heart Center. “Women often put themselves last on the list, but we want them to take some time out for themselves, pause and take stock of their physical and emotional health. We are so excited to bring this opportunity to Toms River.”

The Women’s Health EXPO is being supported by Event Sponsor Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. Additional sponsorship support is being provided by Liberty Bell Bank and OceanFirst Foundation, with support from partners Arista Care Whiting & Manchester, Bayada Home Health Care, Hampton Behavioral Health Center, and NJ School of Massage.

Deborah’s Women’s Health EXPO is April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Toms River Clarion, 815 Route 37 West, Toms River. Admission is free. For more information, call 609-893-3372.

Come

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• OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE:

• Production Operators (No experience needed, we will train you!)

• Manufacturing Mechanic (mechanical and electrical skills preferred) BE PART OF A

“All Aboard The River Lady!” The iconic genuine paddle-wheel boat, which is set to start its 34 th season, was spotted along the Barnegat Bay near the freshly painted & renovated Barnegat Lighthouse. Photographer

Matt Baron was in the right place at the right time and captured this magnificent picture. Have a photo of your own to share with the world? Email it to photos@jerseyshoreonline.com and you may win a prize!

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41 Bread spread

42 Bro’s sib

43 Mexican state south of Veracruz

44 Local political gathering

47 “Acid”

48 Capricorn critter

49 Poker variety

51 Chosen groups 54 Watched 55 File format for digital books

59 Upscale restaurant’s offering

62 Christian on a label

63 “Marriage Story”

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64 “We didn’t do it”

65 Tall tale

66 Itchy red area

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2 Film segment

3 Many a Zeiss product

4 Shine

5 Toy retailer __ Schwarz

6 Meditation word

7 __ mater

8 Piggy in a crib

9 “It’s weird, but just do it”

(c)2023 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, INC.

31 Hot rod attachment

32 Management bigwigs

33 Highly coveted violin

35 Right that isn’t right, e.g.

39 Paleo __

40 Tortellini topper

42 Five-armed ocean creature

43 When a football may be snapped

45 Springfield bar

46 Old Testament prophet

50 Exorcist’s target

51 Jacuzzi effect

52 Kylo Ren’s mother

53 Composer Stravinsky

54 Criteria: Abbr.

56 Best of the Beatles, once

57 Word on U.S. coins

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Omarr’s Astrological Forecast

For the week of apr 15 - apr 21

By Jeraldine Saunders

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You can look on the bright side even on the darkest day. Your optimistic and cheerful outlook can help make even anxious people feel relaxed. You will be delighted if you open the door wide when opportunity knocks.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): It can be easy to express your deep love and affection. You may experience an intense need to have someone by your side. A difficult situation could be sidestepped if you remain discreet and avoid emotional reactions to criticism.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You might be happier if everything is bigger and better, and when everyone benefits. You could be prompted to perform altruistic acts or to upgrade your goals. Ask trusted friends for advice if you want problems solved easily.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Step up to the plate. When it is your turn at bat, apply enthusiasm and you could knock the ball out of the park. Show maturity by forgiving those who may have made mistakes and by generously helping out your friends.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Show off your initiative, competitive prowess and leadership abilities during the coming week. If you dwell on past mistakes, you could hesitate to act on an opportunity. Join in with fun activities and actively widen your horizons.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) : Put any thoughts of business on the back burner for now. A romantic companion may start a conversation by sharing their passions or fantasies. Your goals and dreams may develop into a grand design that can bring you closer together.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You can get ahead faster if you put past conflicts behind you and focus on forgiveness and work toward a mutually satisfactory compromise. Ask for clarification if you are confused by assignments or need more time to grasp the details.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) : Your fairy-tale wishes might be fulfilled. A partner may awaken your feelings and invite you to join them on some romantic adventures. You can capture and use creative ideas or write down your intriguing thoughts for later use.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You may find it challenging to remain still if it seems like there is too much time and energy on your hands. Occupy yourself with constructive projects that offer physical activity and scope for your wide-ranging interests.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You could end up feeling too solitary if you are a lone wolf. Attend community events or family gatherings to find other pack members. This might be a good day to concentrate on togetherness and share your feelings.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Nobody is perfect, even you. Do not expect a partner or loved one to live up to standards that even you may not be able to meet. Aim for the best and highest without criticizing those who may not reach their goal. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Do not let an opportunity to possibly make a profit pass you by. You might find that luck is on your side when you need it. It may take courage to demonstrate negotiating skills, but you can be up for the challenge.

LEMON-OLIVE OIL TART

By America’s Test Kitchen

LEMON-OLIVE OIL TART

Serves 8

Notes: Use a fresh, high-quality extra-virgin olive oil here. Make sure that all your metal equipment — saucepan, strainer and whisk — is nonreactive, or the filling may have a metallic flavor.

For the crust:

1 1/2 cups (7 1/2 ounces) all-purpose flour

5 tablespoons (2 1/4 ounces) sugar

1/2 teaspoon table salt

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons water

For the filling:

1 cup (7 ounces) sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon table salt

3 large eggs plus 3 large yolks

1tablespoongratedlemonzestplus1/2cupjuice(3lemons)

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Forthe crust:

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Whisk flour, sugar, and salt together in a bowl. Add oil

and water and stir until uniform dough forms. Using your hands, crumble three-quarters ofdough overthe bottom of a 9-inch tart pan that has a removable bottom. Press dough to an even thickness in the bottom of the pan.

3. Crumble remaining dough and scatter evenly around theedgeofthepan,thenpresscrumbleddoughintofluted sides of the pan. Press dough to even thickness.

4. Place pan on rimmed baking sheet and bake until crust is deep golden brown and firm to touch, 30 to 35 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking.

Forthe filling:

1. About 5 minutes before the crust is finished baking, whisk sugar, flour, and salt in a medium saucepan until combined. Whisk in eggs and yolks until no streaks of egg remain. Whisk in lemon zest and juice.

2. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly and scraping corners of the saucepan, until mixture thickens slightly and registers 160 degrees, 5 to 8 minutes.

3. Off heat, whisk in oil until incorporated. Strain curd through a fine-mesh strainer set over a bowl. Pour curd into warm tart shell.

(For 25 years, confident cooks in the know have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. See more online at www.americastestkitchen. com/TCA.) (c)

Package includes: Removal from hospital or facility within 25 miles of funeral home, all funeral home service fees, and required cremation container MCDDT-01. Package excludes residential removal fee and Crematory charges.

4. Bake until filling is set and barely jiggles when pan is shaken, 8 to 12 minutes. Let tart cool completelyon a wire rack, at least 2 hours. Remove the outer metal ring of the tart pan. Slide a thin metal spatula between tart and pan bottom, then carefully slide tart onto serving platter. Cut tart into wedges, wiping the knife clean between cuts if necessary, and serve. (Leftovers can be wrapped loosely in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to three days.) www.carmonabolenfh.com

Package includes: 2-Hr Memorial Visitation (during regular business hours) a complimentary select Urn, removal from Hospital or Facility with-in 25 miles of Funeral Home, all Funeral Home service fees, required cremation container MCDDT-01. Package excludes residential removal fee and Crematory charges.

(c) 2023 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

2023 AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.